Pets in Harmony Media Center

By Caleb Harshberger, Eagle Staff Writer: Summer is peak time for vacations, road trips and travel, but for pet owners, this can be a tricky proposition. Between planning supplies, travel precautions and finding a pet-friendly place to stay, traveling with a pet can be a monumental undertaking.(Click image or "Read More" below for full article...)

Summer is peak time for vacations, road trips and travel, but for pet owners, this can be a tricky proposition.

Between planning supplies, travel precautions and finding a pet-friendly place to stay, traveling with a pet can be a monumental undertaking.

PreparationTraveling with a pet is all about preparation. Between the supplies, medications, food, travel, dog-friendly lodging, and local customs and laws, there's a lot to do before you ship off.

It helps to start with the basics. "Bring food and water bowls," said Dr. Brian Silvis, a veterinarian with Harmony Pets. "Always travel with your rabies certificate." These can come in handy, he said, especially if your animal bites someone during your vacation and you have to prove it is not at risk for rabies.

If your pet is on any medication, make sure you have more than enough, Silvis said, because if you're out of the state, your vet will not be able to write a prescription that is valid where you are staying.

"I'm licensed in Pa.," Silvis said. "So if you're in Florida, I can't write you a prescription that works down there."

Travelers should also be sure to look up laws and regulations at their destination to make sure their trip is fun and legal.

Finally, before leaving, make sure you microchip your dog. "I always recommend they (pets) get microchipped in case they get away from you," Silvis said. "It's good to get in that national database. Most police departments have scanners."

Finally, make sure you find a pet-friendly place to stay. "You'd be surprised how many hotels allow pets but don't advertise it," he said.

With all the preparation done, it's time to start the trip.

TravelingDriving with a dog in the car is one of the easier ways to go, but there are things to keep in mind.

"I wouldn't go more than three hours without letting them out and get water and go to the bathroom," he said. "A lot of people will crate their pets. I don't like to see dogs running loose in the car."

Pets loose in the front seats can interfere with the driver of the vehicle and also run the risk of being harmed if the air bag goes off, Silvis said. "I'd recommend keeping them in the backseat with a crate or a harness," he said. "Most local pet stores sell seat belts for dogs."

If you do stop and your pet has to stay in the car, it is important to make sure the car does not get too hot for the animal. "It'll get hot really quick," said Silvis.

Keep the air conditioner on and, if possible, have at least one person stay in the car with the pet, he said.

It also helps to give your pet lighter meals during the trip to prevent motion sickness.

These precautions should make a road trip with your pet a relatively easy experience.

Flying, however, is another matter altogether. Every year, millions of pets are flown around the world, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, but that doesn't mean it's easy.

"I usually recommend not doing it," said Silvis. This can be especially difficult if you are planning on going to another country.

Every country has different rules and requirements for bringing an animal in over the border. Many require extensive vaccinations and proof of health. "Once you get into other countries, it gets really complicated," Silvis said. "If [you're] going to fly outside the country, you really have to start six months in advance."

Additionally, every airline has different policies for travelling with a pet, so make sure you do your research.

Silvis does have a pro tip if you absolutely have to fly out of the country with your pet. "Sometimes flying into military bases is easier," he said. They often have more uniform policies and may be easier to manage than a commercial airliner.

​StayingOnce you have arrived at your destination, a pet-friendly place of course, make sure your pet feels comfortable, to prevent any expensive damages or tense public situations.

"I always worry about leaving a pet alone in a hotel when you go out to dinner," Silvis said. "Bring his crate and food and water bowls. Bring familiar things to make him feel more comfortable."

Wherever your destination may be, Silvis said, there should be dog-friendly places and activities. Many theme parks have doggy [daycares], and it's easy to look up pet-friendly establishments in the area.

The goal is to keep your pet comfortable and happy while on vacation.

The Long ViewIf you plan on taking many trips with your dog, start preparing it when it's young, Silvis said.

"If you have a dog that's going to travel a lot, get them used to it when they're puppies," Silvis said. "Get them used to people - kids; adults; people with mustaches, beards, glasses - and make sure they have a good experience with that."

Finally, remember that all dogs respond differently to travel, and there will always be things out of your control.

"Some dogs just don't handle it well," said Silvis. "Like people, they can get stressed."

So control what you can and prepare for everything.

​Ultimately, the more comfortable your pet is, the easier your trip will be for everyone.